Vic Islamic centre shuts over harassment

An Islamic centre linked to an Islamic State recruiter and men accused of an Anzac Day terror plot in Melbourne has closed down.

The Al-Furqan Islamic Information Centre was empty on Thursday, with just a sign in its Springvale South window saying closing was a decision not taken lightly but it was effective immediately.

"We believe that given the constant harassment, pressure and false accusations levelled against the centre - particularly by media and politicians - this is the best course of action," the statement says.

The closure will protect Al-Furqan's former members as well as the broader Muslim community that is "often implicated in these insidious campaigns", the statement says.

The centre, which was raided by police in 2012, has been a common factor in a series of Melbourne terror-related investigations, threats and acts of violence.

Neil Prakash, a senior IS recruiter in Syria, was reportedly a member of Al-Furqan before he left Australia in 2013.

In a video posted online, Prakash, who also goes by the name Abu Khaled al-Cambodi, recently urged "brothers" on Australian soil to "start attacking before they attack you".

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Numan Haider, the teenager shot dead by police last year after he attacked them with a knife, had visited Al-Furqan.

Five young men arrested in counter-terrorism raids in Melbourne on Saturday also visited the centre. Two of the five have been charged with conspiring to stage a terror attack on Anzac Day in Victoria.

One of these two will be back in court on Friday.

Al-Furqan's website, that requires a log-in to post comments, says it has ceased activities. It also denied there was any connection between the centre and the weekend raids.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews this week described Al-Furqan as "well monitored" and his deputy, James Merlino, was asked on Thursday if there was a greater risk to the community if the group goes underground.

"I've got full faith in Victoria Police and the federal bodies to ensure that our community remains safe," he told reporters.

The Islamic Council of Victoria said it was examining the "extent and nature" of Al-Furqan's connections and there was a risk of further alienating its members.